Iconic football derbies
A derby is more than a match between neighbours. The best ones carry a century of history, politics and family loyalty.
El Clásico: Real Madrid v Barcelona
Spain's two most successful clubs, from its two biggest cities, with a rivalry wrapped up in questions of national and regional identity. It is watched all over the world, and the result often decides La Liga.
The Old Firm: Celtic v Rangers
Glasgow's derby has dominated Scottish football for more than a century. Its history is entangled with religion and politics, and the city stops for it.
Superclásico: Boca Juniors v River Plate
Buenos Aires' giants both began in the dockside district of La Boca before River moved north. The atmosphere at La Bombonera is famous for making the stands shake.
Derby della Madonnina: Inter v AC Milan
Unusually, the two rivals share a stadium, San Siro, and simply swap home and away ends. The name comes from the golden statue of the Virgin Mary on top of Milan cathedral.
The Intercontinental derby: Fenerbahçe v Galatasaray
Fenerbahçe play on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, Galatasaray on the European side, so this derby crosses a continent.
What makes a derby special
- Geography: the fans live, work and go to school together.
- History: decades of memorable matches and grudges.
- Identity: class, religion, politics or region often shape which side a family supports.